Plants can function as air cleaners in the home. Based on a NASA study published in 1989, it is possible for plants to remove volatile organic compounds from the air. Among the common houseplants tested, formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon monoxide were removed.
The study, which was often cited, has shown that plants may play a bigger role in air quality than previously thought. Plants remove VOCs at a much slower rate in a real-world setting than an average building’s air exchange system does. In fact, it would take between 10 and 1,000 plants per square meter to make a noticeable difference on air quality.
In addition to making you feel better, houseplants have other health benefits. It has been demonstrated that they can elevate your mood, relieve stress, and act as a natural air humidifier.
According to NASA’s original research, there are 10 plants that you can possibly use in your home to improve air quality.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
The peace lily has topped NASA’s list of plants that can purify the air in terms of removing VOCs.
It grows up to three feet tall and offers long, white flowers. It has a soft texture and is a good houseplant for newbies. Direct sunlight causes its leaves to turn pale and curl, so it prefers partial sunlight or shady corners. If its leaves begin to curl and turn pale, the plant is likely receiving too much sunlight. Peace lilies, a native of the tropics, do grow in high humidity, although they will also grow well in average conditions.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The NASA study found that spider plants removed dust and ash more efficiently than any other surface in a house
Placed near a fireplace, spider plants might be able to gather dust particles otherwise found in other parts of the room.
Spider plants can be easily grown as they do well in low light conditions and do not need as much watering. It is also easy to propagate by cutting off one of the “spiderettes” from the main plant. These can then be transplanted into another pot so that they can grow independently.
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Succulent snake plants are native to tropical West Africa and are easily identified by their striking appearance. As well as being easy to maintain, snake plants make a perfect choice for novice gardeners. While they prefer bright light, they can deal with partial shade and do not require specific humidity levels. Snake plants can thrive in any part of the house. A member of the succulent family, its thick leaves store water, and it prefers being neglected over over watering.
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos is a vining plant that thrives in many indoor locations, including without much natural light. The forgiving houseplant blooms quickly, sometimes reaching the height of a foot in one month. It is a vine that grows long, rather than tall, and its heart-shaped leaves can be trained to a shelf, or they can fall naturally. They dislike being overwatered, which can cause root rot.
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Various environmental conditions, from drought to high humidity, can be adapted to the dragon tree. If you are in a bathroom or other location with steamy air, then this is a great choice. Although nurseries and garden centers have small specimens that can be placed in any corner of the house, dragon trees can grow as tall as six feet when they reach maturity. Despite its indestructible nature, it is considered an indestructible houseplant that can survive even the most inattentive owners.
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
The weeping fig is a small tree that gets three to six feet tall when grown indoors. Despite its bright green waxy leaves, it tends to droop, even if it’s perfectly healthy. It is native to Asia and Australia. When temperature or light levels fluctuate, figs can become stressed, and will need consistent care. Getting the watering and lighting right can be tricky with ficus, but once you do, it lasts a long time.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
With colorful, variegated foliage, the Chinese evergreen is an attractive species. Even with artificial lighting environments and monthly watering, this tough houseplant tolerates a lack of sunlight, mild drought, and low light.
The plant prefers partial sunlight and weekly care, but it is native to tropical regions, so it likes high humidity. If the leaves are turning brown, mist them on occasion.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
This vine species of houseplant is a popular vining species that grows readily in a variety of climates. A few species even thrive in bathrooms. They prefer moist, shady conditions. Despite the fact that it tends to droop and grow longer rather than taller, it’s a good choice for a hanging plant. If you find that English ivy looks good to you, it’s easy to propagate it by cutting, which makes it easy to grow in different places throughout the house. In the United States, it’s aggressively invasive, and shouldn’t be thrown in compost piles or grown outdoors.
Heart-Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Heart-leaf philodendron has glossy, heart-shaped leaves and requires little attention to thrive. Trailing plants can be trained to climb up a screen, trellis or pole, or just be allowed to drape from their container. A native of South America, it is tolerant of dry conditions, but thrives if it is misted occasionally to keep its leaves clean. Children and pets should be kept away from this product, as it can be toxic if eaten.
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloes plants are most commonly used for their medicinal purposes like treating burns and cuts. The aloe plant will not be damaged by a small cutting, which can serve as an effective remedy for sunburns and rashes. Aloe is a member of the succulent family, a drought-tolerant species with thick leaves that hold water. Because it will prefer sand and dry soil, it will grow best if you place it in a window that gets direct sunlight.
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